News

Charles may save ashes

“SUPER-ASH trees” found on the estates of Prince Charles and other private
landowners could hold the key to saving Britain’s ash trees from
obliteration by ash dieback disease.

Scientists have selected 400 ashes from the Duchy of Cornwall and other
estates over the past decade and taken cuttings and seeds from them to
develop genetically superior trees.

The project’s aim was originally to improve the nation’s woodlands. But the
collection of saplings and seedlings grown from the 400 ash trees now offer
the best chance of finding plants resistant to the dieback that threatens to
wipe out Britain’s estimated 120m ashes. Experts say the genetic diversity
of the young plants offers a greater chance of having an inherent resistance
to the disease.

Jo Clark, from the Earth Trust, who is working with the Future Trees Trust and
the Forestry Commission, said nine top-quality ash trees had been selected
from the